| Burlco eyes Web auctions
Burlington County plans to join other local governments in auctioning government surplus items on the Web. The Burlington County Freeholders authorized its treasurer's office to sign an agreement with GovDeals Inc., which operates an Internet auction site called www.govdeals.com. The freeholders said they will sell vehicles and office equipment to the public online to make more money, save time and attract more bidders. Sharon Brauckmann, county purchasing agent, said the auction would be held later this year and not until the state Department of Community Affairs gives its approval. She said the state must approve a county application to waive the normal local public auction using an auctioneer. Kurt Brock, the county's chief financial officer, said the state is approving Internet auctions of government property only on eBay and GovDeals.
Counties go high-tech for bids
As the final seconds of online bidding ticked away Thursday, offers came in to Camden County's purchasing division fast and furious. County officials, however, disregarded the high bids. It was the lowest ones they were after. Up for bid were contracts to supply all of Camden and Gloucester counties' largest government buildings -- the county colleges, courthouses, wastewater treatment plants -- with electricity at a fixed rate for up to two years. It was a lucrative offer considering Camden County spent $2.94 million on energy last year and Gloucester County paid $1.27 million. "We're at the mercy of the market," said Ross Angilella, Camden County's administrator. "But by doing this, we are positioning ourselves to get the best possible rate." Camden County, the lead purchasing agent in Thursday's reverse auction, got permission from the state last month to bid the contracts online, said Anna Marie Wright, Camden County's purchasing agent.
Auction of Oprah's dress benefits BGSU
At the 40th Anniversary of the William T. Jerome Library, Oprah Winfrey's dress did just that, being auctioned off to highest bidder for $7,500.
All of the money raised by the dress will go to the library.
"People know the University needs money for scholarships and athletics, but we [the library] also rely on the generosity of the community," said Kelly Broughton, co-interim dean of University Libraries, after the dress was auctioned off.
About 200 people came to celebrate the library's anniversary and bid on items to help raise money for the library's future.
"I think we sold every single one of our auction items," Broughton said.
The importance of the library to the University and its students was the predominant theme of the night.
Board bids farewell to three educators
PLYMOUTH--Plymouth Community Schools' board of trustees reluctantly accepted the resignations or retirements of three longtime educators at its meeting Thursday night.
Leaving at the end of the school year are Cindy Wagoner, band director, who will pursue a doctorate in music education; John McNeil, Lincoln Junior High School principal, retiring; and Mike Mercer, social studies teacher at Lincoln, also retiring.
Larry Pinkerton, board member, said Wagoner "took our music program to a higher level" and that McNeil, in his 36 years with Plymouth schools, would leave "big shoes to fill."
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